Sights and Sounds from the Cleveland Indians' home opener

"I'm a big fan of walkie-talkies," -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi on the visiting bullpen phones not working on Monday

"I just had a bad day. I just couldn't get it going," -- Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez

"They are passionate fans. I knew with me playing for the Yankees the cheers wouldn't last too long," -- Yankees designated hitter and former Indian Travis Hafner on getting booed after homering in the first inning

Advertisement

"Losing the game is bad. Losing the game and ruining your bullpen is worse," -- Indians manager Terry Francona

"We had a chance. We had a real chance. He was on the ropes and they had Kelly up in the first inning. To his credit, he went back out there and stayed in there long enough," -- Francona on Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda

"That's the last guy we want to get hot," -- Francona on Robinson Cano, who hit two home runs and doubled on Monday

"If he bounces it, he will never hear the end of it from me," -- Indians left fielder Michael Brantley on his father, Mickey, throwing out a first pitch

"For me, I can illustrate to the players in our program it can happen. Dreams can come true. You can play here at Ohio State and be a big-leaguer," -- Ohio State baseball coach Greg Beals on former Buckeye Nick Swisher playing for the Indians

"To be honest, I hope they stay that way until Friday," -- Indians manager Terry Francona on the Yankees being banged-up

By the numbers

5 -- consecutive losses in home openers by the Indians

27 -- first-inning pitches by Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez

36 -- minutes it took to compelte the first inning

68 -- game-time temperature

113 -- home openers in Indians history

395 -- distance in feet of Mike Aviles' eight-inning homer to left

410 -- distance in feet of Travis Hafner's first-inning home run, a three-run shot to center

785 -- distance in feet of Robinson Cano's two home runs

41,567 -- home opener attendance

Father-son experience

Keeping with this year's opening day "Traditions" theme, a handful of Indians players and coaches received ceremonial first pitches from their fathers during pregame festivities.

Those taking part were:

o Manager Terry Francona, who caught a pitch from his father, Tito Francona

o Outfielder Michael Brantley, who caught a pitch from his father Mickey Brantley.

o Outfielder Nick Swisher, who caught a pitch from his father Steve Swisher; and

o Zach McAllister, who caught a pitch from his father, Steve McAllister.

Each of the fathers either played or coached in professional baseball.

A day of firsts

A list of firsts by the Indians from the home opener on Monday:

First pitch: 4:09 p.m.

First strikeout pitching: Ubaldo Jimenez struck out Eduardo Nunez for the third out of the first inning.

First strikeout batting: Lonnie Chisenhall struck out to end the first inning

First walk: Michael Bourn, leading off the home half of the first inning

First hit: Asdrubal Cabrera, first-inning single

First run: Bourn, first inning.

First RBI: Jason Kipnis on a first-inning sacrifice fly

First double: Jason Kipnis to center, leading off the third inning

First triple: Bourn, with two outs in the eighth inning to right-center

First home run: Mike Aviles, a two-run shot to left in the eighth inning

Front-and-center

Browns cornerback Joe Haden, a fan favorite at many a Cleveland sporting event, Phil Taylor and Greg Little were in attendance and received a hearty ovation when shown on the Jumbotron in the bottom of the sixth inning donning an Indians tank top.

Welcome back

Monday was the first game Michael Bourn played in Progressive Field since 2007, when he came to Cleveland as part of the Philadephia Phillies in a three-game interleague series.

"I know CC was still here, I remember that," Bourn said. "I remember seeing him in that uniform."

Bourn's thoughts on former Tribe starter CC Sabatha that day in mid-June?

"God he's big," Bourn said with a laugh. "That's a big ace over there, man."

Swish's Wishes

Even before the opening pitch on Monday, first baseman Nick Swisher was already giving back to the Cleveland community.

Swisher presented a gift of $75,000 from his foundation, Swish's Wishes, to Providence House right behind home plate before the game on Monday. Providence House is a local crisis nursery that protects children from abuse and neglect.

"Providence House is thrilled to receive this incredibly generous gift from Nick and his foundation," said Natalie Leek-Nelson, president and CEO of Providence House.

Swish's Wishes is a nonprofit organization designed to help children in need of medical care, education and recreational activitie, as well as other essential programs in a child's life.